Our Review
Movie: LA BOLA NEGRA
Rating: R, Violence/bloody images, graphic nudity, sexual content and lan Spanish with English subtitles
Length: 2:35
Release Date: October 16, 2026
JEANNE: LA BOLA NEGRA, a sprawling epic incorporating three very different storylines, is directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi --- known as Los Javis --- who just this spring won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival for this latest effort. The film begins in 1937 a year into the Spanish Civil War and continues over three generations until 2017.
Already accomplished filmmakers, Los Javis decided to adapt a play, La piedra oscura, by Alberto Conejero, which they had seen 10 years earlier. It’s a story about Sebastián (Guitarricadelafuente, a well-known musician making his acting debut) and Rafael Rodriguez Rapún (Miguel Bernardeau), a real historical figure. Sebastián’s life is totally devastated by a horrific event and ends up as a Nationalist soldier. He is tasked with guarding Rafael, a Republican prisoner, and they fall in love.
Five years prior to this, in 1932, Carlos (Milo Quifes, in his acting debut), the 20-year-old son in a prominent family, is trying to become a member of his father’s esteemed social club. He is voted against by the members casting “black balls” --- la bola Negra --- because it is suspected that Carlos is a homosexual.
Calvo and Ambrossi’s movie then catapults the audience to 2017, introducing Alberto (Carlos González) and his partner, Juan Pablo (Julio Torres). Alberto is an historian, who also dabbles in writing plays. Out of the blue, he receives word that his estranged grandfather has left him an inheritance. His crazy mother, Teresa (Lola Dueñas), who detested her father, demands that Alberto have nothing to do with whatever was left to him.
LA BOLA NEGRA connects all these characters, along with the historical background, spanning nearly a century. It is truly a beautiful film --- majestic in its scope, rich in luscious landscapes and the horrors of war. But mostly LA BOLA NEGRA is about love, and the pain and suffering of not being able to show your affection for the object of your desire.
The performances are outstanding. One would never guess that Guitarricadelafuente and Quifes are first-time actors. Both are quite effective as these two quiet young men whose lives are upended by events totally out of their control. Bernardeau isn’t just a pretty face --- he’s completely convincing as the brave and yet tender Rafael, while González has his hands full dealing with the feisty Dueñas.
Penélope Cruz stars in a fabulous role as Nené Romero, a cabaret singer --- cupletista --- in 1937. She’s reduced to performing for the fascist troops, constantly battling with them to keep their hands off her body. Cruz sings two numbers and she is a hoot. Another surprise cast member is Glenn Close, who plays Isabelle, a Lorca historian who has a wonderful sequence with González. She even learned to speak Spanish for her role.
Though David was not as enamored with LA BOLA NEGRA as I, he definitely appreciated its story. I was especially moved by the film’s original music by Raül Refree, which matched LA BOLA NEGRA’s intensity --- and tales of devotion.
Opens in select theaters
October 16th
December 2nd on Netflix
OPINION: STRONG SEE IT NOW!
DAVID: LA BOLA NEGRA (literally translated as “the black ball”) is an extremely elaborate and ambitious saga in three different time periods --- 1932, 1937 and 2017. Co-writers and directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi --- widely known as Los Javis --- filmed the events in alternating seamless stages, quite a feat considering the 85-year gap from 1932 to 2017. And the duo was recognized at Cannes this year winning the Best Director Award for 2026 while the movie earned the People’s Choice Award (top prize) at TIFF.
The dialogue is almost completely Spanish with English subtitles, except for some English spoken by Glenn Close near the film’s end. And Penélope Cruz also plays a key role. The rest of the main cast is Spanish, and all the actors are formidable, including those making their acting debut.
Homosexuality is banned in the 1930’s. The fascist government in Spain imprisoned and even executed perpetrators. When a joyous community gathering in Spain is interrupted by a horrific event, it soon becomes clear that Italy and Spain are on opposite sides of the Spanish Civil War.
LA BOLA NEGRA showcases several actors who make their film debuts, including Guitarricadelafuente as Sebastián. When his town is ravaged by an attack, he escapes and then is forced to become a Nationalist soldier to save his life. He is assigned to guard a hospitalized prisoner named Rafael (Miguel Bernardeau), and their bond becomes a major episode as the film progresses. These two actors, who are gay, like the directors and most of the cast, are phenomenal.
Other superb portrayals are given by Carlos González as Alberto, who has an incredibly contentious relationship with his mother, Teresa (Lola Dueñas). And Milo Quifes, a 20-year-old newcomer, plays Carlos. His desire to gain admission into a social club ends with him being blackballed by members who cast black balls to make public their decision. Hence the title of the film is directly akin to Carlos’ rejection.
Glenn Close is an historian who is handed a major discovery of a manuscript related to renowned poet and playwright Federico García Lorca who was executed by a Nationalist firing squad only a few weeks after the start of the Spanish Civil War. It is his story that is the catalyst for the screenplay. And Penélope Cruz is on screen long enough to perform two songs in front of a rowdy crowd of Nationalist soldiers. Her part here is pure entertainment.
One final note: LA BOLA NEGRA is Spain’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards.
Opens in select theaters
October 16th
December 2nd on Netflix
OPINION: SEE IT NOW!
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